Lubeznik Center for the Arts Project Simple: Photography that Inspires Call to Action

Lubeznik-Project-Simple-2016Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) presents Project Simple: Capturing Silent Conversations, an exhibition of photographs by the husband and wife team of Mariano Cortez and Chelsea Nix. The couple's photographs are currently on display in LCA's NIPSCO Education Studio through October 28, 2016 with a reception on October 7 from 5:00 to 8:00pm during LCA's First Friday series. Using the camera as a tool to share individual stories and help indigenous communities in third world countries, the Nix/Cortez team focused their lens on India and Nepal for this series of photographs.

Chelsea Nix is a native of Valparaiso, who met her Argentinian spouse, Mariano Cortez, in 2011, while volunteering at the Mother Teresa Center in Calcutta, India. Self-described "people-lovers", the two share a passion for raising the awareness of projects initiated by inspiring individuals, who despite modest resources, work to better their communities. Project Simple was sparked in India, where Chelsea and Mariano met Guzman, a man who runs an orphanage for 260 girls on humble means. By telling Guzman's story, Nix/Cortez's photographs raised awareness and funds. The young couple's travels have also taken them to Nepal to help earthquake survivors and to Guatemala to help feed and clothe women and children.

"We have found inspiring individuals in third world countries who have started their own personal projects to assist the communities in which they live. Through creating relationships and friendships, we learn from them and are motivated to help continue the projects that they have dedicated their lives to. Once we understand their specific needs, we take action, by supporting their projects in a sustainable way. Through hours of conversations and active participation, they guide us and together we decide how to spend any and all donations locally. We put the money back into their community by purchasing animals and supplies directly from their neighbors." Nix and Cortez write.

To learn more about the stories behind the photographs, LCA invites the public for a conversation with the artists on Thursday, September 22 at 6 PM. Admission to the artists' talk and the opening is free.

Lubeznik Center for the Arts is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Weekday hours are from 10AM to 5PM (CDT)*. Weekends are open from 11AM to 4PM (CDT). *Thursdays, the Hyndman Gallery opens at 2PM. For more information, please visit lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900.

Made possible in part by South Shore Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.